Laurence Robertson will bring experience and knowledge to British Irish Parliamentary Assembly

The Co Chairman of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, Joe McHugh TD, has congratulated the new British Co-Chair of the Assembly, Laurence Robertson MP, who was appointed today to succeed Lord Cope Berkeley following his recent retirement from the role.

Deputy McHugh said that Mr Robertson, as the current Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee in the House of Commons, will bring a depth of knowledge and experience of British-Irish and North-South affairs to the Assembly, and said he looked forward to developing a close working relationship with him in the years ahead.

Deputy McHugh commented, "I wish to congratulate Laurence Robertson on this appointment. He is a fitting and appropriate person to be the Co-Chair given his previous role as Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland and now as Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee.

"He will bring a huge amount of experience and a working knowledge of the challenges that confront us in terms of using the Assembly to identify ways to build economic recovery throughout Britain and Ireland.

"I look forward to welcoming him to Ireland for the next plenary of the Assembly in the Spring."

ENDS